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The Book of Life
So far, scientists have named about 1.8 million living species(物种), and that’s just a small number of what probably exists on Earth. With so many plants, animals, and other living things coveting the planet, it can be tough to figure out what type of grass is growing by the roadside or what kind of bird just flew by.
A soon-to-be-started Web site might help. An international team of researchers has announced the creation of Web-based Encyclopedia(百科全书) of Life ( EoL). The project aims to list every species on Earth in a single, easy-to-use reference guide.
To get the encyclopedia started, the creators will use information from scientific databases (数据库) that already exist. And eventually, in special sections of the site, non-scientists with specialized knowledge will come to help. Bird-watchers, for example, will be able to input what birds they’ve seen and where. To make sure the encyclopedia is accurate, scientists will review much of the information added to it.
As the EoL develops, you might find it useful for school projects. The site will feature (以……为特色) special pages for kids who are studying ecosystems in their neighborhoods. Another convenient feature of the EoL is that you’ll be able to pick the level of detail you want to see to match your interests, age, and knowledge.
It now takes years for scientists to collect all the data they need to describe and analyze species. The creators of the Encyclopedia of Life hope that their new tool will speed up that process.
1.The Web-based EoL aims to__________ .
A．find out what covers the earth
B．list all living things on Earth
C．work out the number of birds
D．save the existing plants
2.One characteristic of the EoL is that__________ .
A．it is run by school students
B．it focuses on different types of grass
C．it provides different levels of information
D．it allows non-scientists to review its data
3.In the last paragraph, "that process" means__________ .
A．analyzing species B．creating a new tool
C．collecting data D．describing species
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Scientists estimate that over 500 million species have died out throughout evolution. Here is a list of 4 incredible extinct animals.
| Pinta Island Tortoise 
| The giant tortoise of Pinta lived on the island Pinta of the Galapagos Islands,Ecuador. By the end of the nineteenth century,most of the Pinta Island tortoises had been wiped out due to hunting. The last known individual was a male named Lonesome George who died on 24 June 2012. In his later years,he was considered the rarest animal in the world. |
| Falkland Islands Wolf 
| The Falkland Islands wolf was the only native land mammal of the Falkland Islands. The animal was hunted for his beautiful fur,and the shepherds(牧羊人），considering it a threat to the sheep,poisoned him. On the islands,there were no forests in which the species could take shelter,and its lack of fear towards man made it easy prey to kill. The last known individual died in the late 19th century on the western island. |
| Caucasian Wisent 
| The Caucasian wisent which went extinct in 1926 inhabited(栖息）the Caucasus mountains. In 1910 their numbers were estimated in the hundreds. When state authority collapsed after the First World War,the remaining population fell victim to hunters. The decline can also be contributed to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease that was introduced with cattle. |
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| The Javan tiger is an extinct subspecies of the tiger that was native to the Indonesian island of Java. Very little data was gathered about their behavior before they were driven to extinction. The reduction of its two main prey species,and the modification of its habitat led to the extinction of the subspecies in the 1980s. |
1.According to the passage,which shows the correct order of the animals' extinction?
① Pinta Island tortoise ② Falkland Islands wolf
③ Caucasian wisent ④Javan tiger
A.②③①④ B.②③④①
C.③②④① D.③④②①
2.Which of the following is NOT the reason for extinction of the animals?
A.Pollution. B.Disease.
C.Hunting. D.Habitat loss.
3.Where does this article probably come from?
A.A travel brochure. B.A news report.
C.A nature magazine. D.A biology textbook.
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Sharks have lived in the oceans for over 450 million years. There are now about 360 species of sharks, whose size, behavior, and other characteristics differ widely.
Sharks range in size from the 0.1 meter long dwarf-dog shark to the 18-metre long whale shark — the world’s biggest fish. The whale shark, like two other large shark species — the basking shark and the megamouth shark — are harmless to people because they feed on plants and small aquatic animals.
Sharks have extremely sensitive sense organs. Some sharks can detect the scent(气味) of decaying fish or blood even when it is diluted(稀释) to only one part per million parts of seawater. They can probably hear underwater sounds that originate as far as 3 kilometers away and can tell the direction from which underwater sounds are coming.
Sharks are key predators(肉食动物) in the world’s oceans, helping control the numbers of many other ocean predators. Without sharks, the oceans would be overcrowded with dead and dying fish.
Every year, we catch and kill over 100 million sharks, mostly for food and for their fins. Dried shark fins are used to make shark fin soup, which makes a profit for the sellers. Other sharks are killed for sport and out of fear. Sharks are vulnerable to overfishing because it takes most species 10 to 15 years to begin reproducing and they produce only a few offspring.
Influenced by movies and popular novels, most people see sharks as people-eating monsters. This is far from the truth. Every year, a few types of sharks injure about 100 people worldwide and kill about 25. Most attacks are by great white sharks, which often feed on sea lions and other marine mammals. They sometimes mistake human swimmers for their normal prey, especially if they are wearing black wet suits.
If you are a typical ocean-goer, your chances of being killed by an unprovoked(无缘无故的) attack by a shark are about 1 in 100 million. You are more likely to be killed by a pig than by a shark.
Sharks help save human lives. In addition to providing people with food, they are helping us learn how to fight cancer, bacteria and viruses. Sharks are very healthy and have aging processes similar to ours. Their highly effective immune system allows wounds to heal quickly without becoming infected, and their blood is being studied in connection with AIDS research.
Sharks are among the few animals in the world that almost never get cancer and eye cataracts. Understanding why can help us improve human health. Chemicals extracted from shark cartilage(软骨) have killed cancerous tumors in laboratory animals, and these chemicals may someday help prolong our life.
Sharks are needed in the world’s ocean ecosystems. Although they don’t need us, we need them. We are much more dangerous to sharks than they are to us. For every shark that bites a person, we kill one million sharks.
1.Which statement best expresses the main idea of the article?
A. There are many different species of sharks, but only a few of them are dangerous to humans.
B. Sharks are important to the ocean ecosystem and they are a valuable resource for humans.
C. Although some sharks are dangerous to humans, they can help save human lives.
D. Sharks always eat small fishes and they are an essential part of the world’s oceans.
2.Which question is NOT answered in the article?
A. How long does a shark live?
B. How many people are killed by sharks each year?
C. Why are sharks important in medical research?
D. What do humans kill sharks for?
3.It can be inferred from the passage that ______________.
A. movies have given people the wrong impression of sharks
B. most sharks are dangerous to humans
C. sharks will attack anyone who is wearing black
D. it is very likely that ocean-goers will be killed by a shark
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Scientists believe they could bring the likes of dodos(渡渡鸟)back from the dead through cloning experiments in the near future which could see the flightless birds revived from their extinction.
The big bird, which was about a metre tall and weighed up to 18 kilograms, was native to Mauritius but became extinct in the 1600s, shortly after humans discovered the island. However, 400 years later, scientists now believe that they could bring the dodo back to life through cloning of some of its closest living relatives.
Scientists recently published a paper which identified the overall genomic structure of dinosaurs. The team achieved this by tracing the ancestors (祖先)of birds — the dinosaurs closest living relatives — to create the genomic structure. Researchers involved in the study say it is an emphatic ‘no’ when it comes to the possibility of ever being able to clone dinosaurs, but they do say that more recently extinct birds like the carrier pigeon and the dodo could be brought back due to the fact that they have such close living relatives.
University of Kent scientists Darren Griffin and Rebecca O’Connor wrote in an article for The Conversation: “We discovered that birds and most flightless dinosaurs had a lot of chromosomes (packages of DNA). Having so many allows animals to generate variation, the driver of natural selection.”
“However, though it is a long shot, it may be possible in future to use Jurassic Park technology to help avoid some of the harm that humans have caused. Mankind has seen the extinction of well-known avian dinosaurs such as the dodo and the passenger pigeon.”
“Recovery(恢复)of DNA that is a only few hundred years old from these birds is a far more realistic way. It may also be that eggs from closely related living species might just be good enough. In the right conditions we may be able to use them to resurrect some of these species from extinction.”
1.What can we learn about dodos?
A.They flew to Mauritius in the 1600s. B.They could be used to clone pigeons.
C.They would die out in the near future. D.They might be brought back to life soon.
2.How do scientists revive dodos?
A.They clone dodos’ closest living relatives. B.They trace those endangered birds closely.
C.They look for dinosaurs’ living conditions. D.They identify genomic structure of pigeons.
3.What does the underlined word “resurrect” in the last paragraph mean?
A.Learn. B.Protect.
C.Revive. D.Prevent.
4.What is the best title for the text?
A.Scientists Expect to Clone the Dodos. B.Scientists Find Close Living Relatives.
C.Dinosaurs Have Already Been Extinct. D.Some Species Have Been Discovered.
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The remains of an ancient ape (猿) found in Bavaria suggest that humans' ancestors began standing upright millions of years earlier than previously thought.
An international team of researchers said the fossilized skeleton (化石骨骼) of a male ape that lived in the warm and damp forests of what is now southern Germany was quite similar to modem human bones. In a paper published by the journal Nature, they concluded that the previously unknown species — named Danuvius guggenmosi — could walk on two legs but also climb like an ape.
''The findings raise fundamental questions about our previous understanding of the evolution of the great apes and humans, '' said Madelaine Boehme, who led the research.
The question of when apes could walk on two legs has fascinated scientists since Charles Darwin first argued that they were the ancestors of humans. Previous fossil records of apes with an upright move — found in Crete and Kenya — dated only as far back as 6 million years. These apes are called Toumai.
Boehme, along with researchers from Bulgaria, Canada and the United States, examined more than 15,000 bones recovered from the archaeological remains found. Among the remains they were able to piece together were primate (灵长目动物) fossils belonging to 4 individuals that lived 11.62 million years ago. The most complete, an adult male, likely stood about 1 meter tall, weighed 31 kilograms and looked similar to modern-day bonobos, a species of chimp.
Like humans, Danuvius had an S-shaped backbone to hold its body upright while standing. Unlike humans, though, it had a powerful big toe that would have allowed it to grab branches with its foot easily.
Fred Spoor, a biologist at the Natural History Museum in London, called the fossil finds ''fantastic'', but said they would likely be denied or suspected by others, especially because they could challenge many existing ideas about evolution.
1.Where did the scientists find the fossilized ape skeleton?
A.Germany. B.Canada.
C.Bulgaria. D.Kenya.
2.What can we infer about Danuvius guggenmosi?
A.It was a species of chimp.
B.It lived in Crete and Kenya.
C.It could walk with a backbone.
D.It existed much earlier than Toumai.
3.How does Spoor feel about the finding?
A.It is the most fantastic one.
B.It is a support to evolution.
C.It may cause lots of debate.
D.It denies the previous ideas.
4.What might be the best title for this text?
A.Legend of Humans' Ancestors
B.The Secrets Uncovered from Fossils
C.The Oldest Example of Upright Ape Found
D.Recent Findings against the Theory of Evolution
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Scientists estimate that more than 60 percent of cancer deaths in the United States are preventable through lifestyle changes. Although there is no certain way to avoid all cancers, reducing individual risk factors greatly decreases the likelihood of getting many forms of this dangerous disease.
The American Chemical Society estimates that smoking causes nearly 30 percent of all cancer deaths in the United States — that is, about 166,000 cancer deaths each year. All cancer deaths caused by tobacco smoking could be prevented completely by not smoking and not using smokeless tobacco. For those who already smoke, quitting will reduce the risk of developing cancer. Studies show that after about ten years of not smoking, a past smoker’s risk lowers to about the level of those who have never smoked.
After quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet is the best way to lower the risk of cancer. Certain foods have been found to protect against cancer. Among these foods are cabbages, tomatoes, soy products, and foods high in vitamins A, C, and E. In addition, green and possibly black teas contain compounds that protect the body from cancer-causing substance.
To lower cancer risk, diets should include little or no red meat. Other foods to avoid or consume in moderation (适度地) include sugar, fat from animal products, and salt. Added fats and oils should come from vegetables, such as olives or corn, rather than from animal sources. Carbohydrates (碳水化合物) should come from whole grains, such as brown rice and whole wheat bread, rather than from processed foods, such as white rice and white bread.
The risk of cancer of the esophagus (食道) increases with heavy alcohol consumption, and many studies suggest that consuming alcoholic drinks increases the risk of breast cancer as well. Studies show that limiting intake to two drinks a day for men, and one drink per day for women, reduces cancer risk.
Low levels of physical activity have been implicated (牵连) in some cancer. Moderate activity for 30 minutes a day enhances the immune system, shortens the time food takes to move through the intestines (肠), and changes body composition and hormone levels. Researchers are studying how these effects might lower cancer risk.
1.Which of the following is true according to the author?
A. A person drinking tea regularly will not be likely to suffer from cancer.
B. Once a smoker has stopped smoking, there is almost no chance for cancers.
C. A balanced diet is absolutely effective in preventing one from getting cancer.
D. Those having quitted smoking for 10 years and non-smokers have less cancer risk.
2.What kind of people increase their chances of getting cancers?
A. Those whose foods contain less sugar, animal fat, and salt.
B. Those who are not moderate in drinking, smoking or eating.
C. Those who have only one or two drinks regularly per day.
D. Those whose diet contains little red meat and a lot of vegetables.
3.Which do you think is the best title for this passage?
A. The relation between food and disease. B. Causes of different kinds cancers.
C. Tips on lifestyle for cancer prevention. D. Ways to remain more healthy.
4.We can infer from the last paragraph that _______.
A. food’s staying in body too long might have something to do with cancer
B. the reasons why physical activity lowers cancer risk are clear
C. the more you exercise, the lower cancer risk you will take
D. plenty of physical exercise is most important for remaining healthy
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Mental health experts estimate that depression affects more than 120 million people worldwide. It severely affects the person’s quality of life and, in extreme cases, can lead to people killing themselves. Anti-depressant medicines have been shown as an effective treatment for most patients. But the drugs are unable to help a small number of people with the disorder.
For such person, doctors may suggest deep transcranial magnetic stimulation(经颅磁力刺激), or DTMS for short. In this treatment, patients wear a special helmet connected to a machine. An electric coil(线圈)in the helmet sends out regular waves of electromagnetic energy. These beating sounds produce changes in the brain area responsible for the disorder.
Electromagnetic stimulation(刺激) was first tried to treat depression over 30 years ago. Now, a new generation of wiring can direct the energy on one part of the brain. DTMS starts with daily 20-mimute-long treatments for 20 to 30 days. The patient then returns for treatment two to three times a week for several weeks.
The only side effect is sometimes slight head pain. Aaron Tendler is the chief medical officer of Brains way, the company that makes the machine. He said that it’s hard to say how long the effects of DTMS last.
DTMS is being used in Europe to treat both depression and other conditions. Patients there are getting treated for dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. And DTMS is even being used to help some Europeans give up smoking.
But in the United States, the Federal Food and Drug Administration(FFDA) has approved it only for the treatment of depression which cannot be treated by medicine. But clinical tests are continuing on other conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Both of the disorders, like depression, can get in the way of a person working and getting along with people.
1.Why are people concerned about depression?
A.Because it may lead to death sometimes.
B.Because only a few people can recover from it.
C.Because it does not affect social communication.
D.Because medicine treatment usually fails to work on it.
2.How does DTMS help patients with depression?
A.By wearing a helmet in daily life.
B.By performing an operation on the head.
C.By making them face the disease bravely.
D.By letting electromagnetic waves stimulate the brain.
3.What can we infer about DTMS from the text?
A.It is quite safe to use it worldwide.
B.The use of it in America is forbidden.
C.It can cure patients of depression in a month.
D.It will be widely used in treating more diseases.
4.What would be the best title for the text?
A.Finding Hope in A Hopeless Depression
B.DTMS - A New Treatment for Depression
C.The Killer of Modern Humans Depression
D.Using Electromagnetic Waves to Cure Depression
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The number of speakers of English in Shakespeare’s time is estimated to have been about five million. Today it is estimated that some 260 million people speak it as a native language, mainly in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. In addition to the standard varieties of English found in these areas, there are a great many regional and social varieties of the language as well as various levels of usage that are employed both in its spoken and written forms.
In fact, it is impossible to estimate the number of people in the world who have acquired an adequate working knowledge of English in addition to their own languages. The purpose for English learning and the situations in which such learning takes place are so varied that it is difficult to explain and still more difficult to judge what forms an enough working knowledge for each situation.
The main reason for the widespread demand for English is its present-day importance as a world language. Besides serving the various needs of its native speakers, English is a language in which some of important works in science, technology, and other fields are being produced, and not always by native speakers. It is widely used for such purposes as meteorological (气象的) and airport communications, international conferences, and the spread of information over the radio and television networks of many nations. It is a language of wider communication for a number of developing countries, especially former British colonies . Many of these countries have multilingual populations and need a language for internal communication in such matters as government, commerce, industry, law and education as well as for international communication and for entrance to the scientific and technological developments in the West.
1.Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A.It is likely to tell the number of people with an enough working knowledge of English.
B.There are some 260 million native speakers of English in the world.
C.Apart from the standard English，there are other forms of Englishes.
D.People all around the world learn English for a variety of reasons.
2.According to the passage, what is the main reason for the widespread use of English?
A.It was popular during Shakespeare’s time.
B.It is used in former British colonies.
C.It is a world language that is used for international communication.
D.It serves the needs of its native speakers.
3.What forms an enough working knowledge of English?
A.Being a multilingual.
B.Being a native speaker.
C.The ability to read a newspaper.
D.It is difficult to judge because it differs for each situation.
4.What type of developing countries would be most likely to use English?
A.Those geographically close to the United States.
B.Former colonies of Great Britain.
C.Those interested in the culture of the United States.
D.Countries where international conferences are held.
5.What would be the best title for this passage?
A.The Difficulties of Learning English B.International Communications
C.The Standard Varieties of English D.English as a World Language
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_____ is estimated is that 300 million farmers will become urban dwellers in three decades.
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Experts say that food is one of the biggest greenhouse gas polluters. The reason is the rising demand for meat. Animal farming is responsible for 14.5 percent of global greenhouse gas methane emissions. While cows are the worse contributors, pigs, sheep, donkeys and other animals play a part as well.
Animal farming also causes land to become damaged, water to be polluted and forests to get destroyed. That is why experts are advocating substituting some of the beef, chicken, or pork with ordinary insects!
Insects, which grow into adults within a matter of months, if not weeks, are ready for consumption much faster than domestic animals. They also require much less room, use less water and food, and produce far less greenhouse gas than animals.
Of the 1.1 million insect species worldwide, scientists have identified 1.700 as eatable. Among them are ants, grasshoppers, grubs, and earthworms. Just like animals, each insect has a different taste. Tree worms taste just like pork, and grubs are similar to smoked meat.
While eating insects might be a new concept for Western people, over 2 billion people worldwide consume insets as a regular part of their diet. Besides being delicious, insets are high in protein, have very few calories, and are free of the saturated fat. So eat insects, both your body and Mother Earth will thank you for it!
1.Which of the following animals are responsible for the most global methane emissions?
A.Sheep. B.Pigs. C.Cows. D.Donkeys.
2.How is the third paragraph mainly developed?
A.By asking questions. B.By providing examples.
C.By listing the numbers. D.By making comparisons.
3.What do tree worms taste like?
A.Pig meat. B.Tomato soup. C.Fresh vegetables. D.Fried chicken.
4.What can be inferred from the last paragraph?
A.Few people eat insects regularly. B.Ordinary insects are high in fat.
C.Saturated fat is harmful to health. D.Insects contain various vitamin.